First Light Electrical Solutions

Small changes add up. Switch to LED lighting throughout your home. Install timers or smart switches on high-use circuits. Make sure your hot water cylinder is on the right tariff. Consider a heat pump over electric resistance heating and get your wiring checked. Faulty connections can quietly waste energy. We can help you find the savings.

Smart home tech isn’t just for tech enthusiasts!

Automated lighting, smart switches, USB power points, whole-home surge protection, and EV chargers, are all things First Light Electrical can install properly, and safely into your home!

Getting it done right, from the start means no headaches down the track, and a home that actually works the way it should! 👌

1. Initial enquiry (1–7 days)
What happens

• You give an installer:
• Address (for aerial/solar mapping),
• Recent power bills,
• Any preferences (EV, battery later, hot water, etc).
• We send through a detailed solar proposal
• A rough system size (e.g. 5–7 kW),
• Estimated cost,
• High-level savings/payback.
Your jobs
• Decide if you would like any changes made.
• Clarify if you want battery now, later, or not at all (affects design and price).

2. Site visit, detailed design & formal quote (about 1–2 weeks)

What happens
• Arrange a site visit to check:
• Roof structure & cladding condition,
• Switchboard space / condition and how many phases.
• Cable runs, inverter location, shading in reality vs satellite.
• Answer any questions you might have.

3. Accept quote
Book in solar install.
• 4-6 weeks wait before install can be carried out.
Network (lines company) approval
• Apply to electricity distribution company for:
• Connection of a small generation system,
• Any export limits (e.g. max 5 kW per phase).
• Lines company reviews and approves (or approves with conditions).
Retailer/export tariff set-up
• You choose an export buy-back plan with your retailer.
• The retailer arranges meter reconfiguration (import/export meter).This normally happens after install is completed. COC and ROI are sent to retailer. Can be up to 4 weeks if new meter is required.

4. Installation day(s) (usually 1 day, sometimes 2–3)

For a standard 4–8 kW residential system:
• Roof team:
• Fit roof brackets/rails,
• Lay panels,
• Run DC cabling to inverter.
• Electrical team (licensed electrician/line mechanic):
• Mount inverter(s) and any DC isolators,
• Upgrade or tidy switchboard as needed,
• Wire in AC connection and protection,
• Integrate any monitoring, hot water diverter, battery, etc.
• Testing:
• Insulation and polarity checks,
• Earthing and RCD checks,
• Verification against AS/NZS standards and PAS guideline. Standards NZ+1
Most normal homes: 1 full day. Large / complex roofs or battery systems: up to 2–3 days.

5. Inspection & sign-off (a few days to ~2 weeks)

Electrical certification
• Your installer issues:
• Certificate of Compliance (CoC), and
• Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC).

6. Commissioning & handover (same day as final sign-off)

The installer will typically:
• Turn the system on in auto mode,
• Verify:
• Inverter output & voltages,
• Monitoring is working,
• Export is visible at the meter.
• Provide:
• System manuals & datasheets,
• Warranty info,
• Basic “how to operate & shut down” training,
• Handover pack (physical or digital).

Total time from first enquiry to this point is commonly 3–8 weeks, depending on:
• How quickly quotes/approvals move,
• Your availability for site visit,
• Network company and retailer speed.

Still using an old switchboard?
Upgrade to a safer, modern system that protects your home and appliances. Our certified electricians make the process simple and stress-free.

Visit our website or give us call!